Goff Hall craft show Saturday a fundraiser for Power of Hope

Karen Geerts says she’s OK if someday she became known as the pajama lady.

That’s because the grandmother of ten, who said she saw a need in Oxford County, is on a mission to supply pajamas to as many children in need as she can.

“Everyone needs a grandma in the background buying pajamas,” she said on Thursday. “I think every child needs a new pairs of pajamas at Christmas, they are so comforting.”

As director of operations for the Power of Hope in the Woodstock area, Geerts, who joined the organization in 2012, has been devoting her spare time to helping those in need through donations of pajamas, toiletries, towels and soft toys.

The Power of Hope is a non-profit organization that was established by Penny Jamieson, which has been operating in Waterloo Region and Wellington and Perth counties since 2008.

Jamieson was inspired to start the organization after sending a truckload of donations to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

HOPE stands for Helping Other People Everyday.

So far, Geerts and her volunteers have raised enough money to purchase 200 pairs of pajamas, from newborn to size 16.

They collect the items, gift wrap them and donate them to local agencies at Christmas time.

The Children’s Aid Society received 140 pairs of the pajamas last year, with the rest going to Ingamo Homes and Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (DASO).

They also provide towel baskets, with much-need toiletries for women, who have fled abusive relationships to DASO.

“When women have to leave the home they are in, they usually go with only the shirt on their backs,” she said. “The baskets hold everything they need for their first shower.”

Admittance is free for a craft show fundraiser at Goff Hall on Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A fundraising spring dance is also being held on April 26 at the Woodstock Polish Hall and barbecues will be held throughout the summer.